Ghost stories and haunted houses have always been a part of American culture. Sitting around a campfire while listening to the elected “story-teller” share their scariest tale; waiting in anticipation for the ending, not expecting the flashlight that will soon be hoisted into the face of the “appointed one” as they reach the peak of horror in their ghostly narrative- really, it’s become a sort of tradition.

Reality show or not, the state of Tennessee has plenty of its own hauntings- hauntings that are based on real people and actual events. Most of these haunted accounts are well-founded, offering an assemblage of verified documents which prove to some extent, their validity.

As for where these hauntings occur? Well, the areas surrounding the Great Smoky Mountains might just be the most haunted in the region. After-all, one of its tours did make number four on the HauntedAmericaTours.com list of “The Top 10 Best and Most Haunted Ghost Tours.”

The winner of the fourth spot goes to none other than the “Appalachian GhostWalks.” Tour director, Stacey Allen McGee, is a certified “ghost hunter” and has worked in the travel industry for several years. This man knows his paranormal stuff.

While the Appalachian GhostWalks are scheduled to introduce “The Great Smoky Mountain Haunted Adventure Tours,” (featuring haunted and historic sites in Cades Cove and Blue Ridge Parkway) it won’t actually open to the public until September 2011- but, the “Haunted Historic Dandridge GhostWalk” tour is in full swing, and it’s just a short drive away from the bustling cities of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN.

You won’t want to miss this haunted tour of Tennessee’s second oldest town. Find out what happened when the “GhostWalks” crew investigated the historic Shepard’s Inn, who haunts the Vance Building in downtown Dandridge, and what spirits are lingering in some of the other historic buildings throughout the city.

For information on tour dates and reservations, call 423-743-9255

After your “spooktacular” tour with the “GhostWalks” crew, you’re going to want a safe haven to rest your head. (And heart.) Here at iTrip.net, we have just the remedy; a quaint and comfortable cabin set up with a jacuzzi and a mountainside view.